PASSIVE STABILITY OF A SATELLITE VEHICLE

Robert M. L. Baker, Jr.

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	The various mechanisms employed for the stabilization of satellite vehicles may be roughly divided into two classes: active and passive. The active systems utilize horizon scanners, star seekers, etc., to give the system a reference vertical, and gyros or jets to change orientation. The passive system relies upon only a "sensing" of the gravitational field and a natural tendency to align itself to the local vertical. The Moon is an example of the latter system.
Published in:	NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Volume 6, Number 1
Pages:	64 - 65
Cite this article:	Baker, Robert M. L., Jr.,, "PASSIVE STABILITY OF A SATELLITE VEHICLE", NAVIGATION: Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 6, No. 1, 1958, pp. 64-65.
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